Major USB 2.0 problem

[imported_MikeF]

Long story short: running XP Home on Gigabyte SIN-XP1394 motherboard with on-board SiS USB 2.0 support. I've referred already to all the SiS USB tips at www.usbman.com, so please do not refer me to them again.

Basic problem: I can't get USB 2.0 support anymore. If I enable "SiS PCI to USB Enhanced Host Controller", all my USB 2.0 devices (Brother HL-5040 printer, Rio Nitrus, generic CF card reader, etc.) become "Unknown Device". They also cease getting power from the USB port. If I disable "SiS PCI to USB Enhanced Host Controller", they all start working again, albeit not at USB 2.0 speeds.

I've installed XP Service Pack 1A, re-installed SiS drivers from Gigabyte's installation CD, jiggled the BIOS settings, rebuilt the USB stack in Safe Mode, etc. What else can I try? Reinstalling Windows is not an option.

 

[mechBgon]

If you happen to have front USB ports on your case, then are they confirmed USB 2.0 cabling? If you're not sure, but do have such ports hooked up to the motherboard, try disconnecting them from the motherboard as a troubleshooting step.

Workaround: say the heck with it and get yourself an add-in USB 2.0 PCI card that does not use a VIA chipset (the VIA-based ones have evidently got some issues of their own). For what they cost, versus what your time and hair are worth... yeah. 🙂

Welcome to the Forums MikeF 🙂

 

[LTC8K6]

Are you overclocked?

 

[imported_MikeF]

Thanks for the prompt replies and for the welcome. I'm not overclocked, and yes, I'm positive I have USB 2.0 cabling - as USB 2.0 worked for almost a year before this problem developed suddenly.

The good news: acting on an obscure usenet posting, I turned off the PC and unplugged the AC cable for a few hours. I thought this was crazy, but, almost unbelievably, it worked. This is after weeks of my putzing around with drivers and the like. What can I say - it works!